GIRFEC in practice

Wellbeing for young Scots

What is GIRFEC?

GIRFEC is the national approach in Scotland to improving outcomes and supporting the wellbeing of our children and young people by offering the right help at the right time from the right people. It supports them and their parent(s) to work in partnership with the services that can help them.

It puts the rights and wellbeing of children and young people at the heart of the services that support them – such as early years services, schools, and the NHS – to ensure that everyone works together to improve outcomes for a child or young person.

Most children get all the support and help they need from their parent(s), wider family and local community, in partnership with services like health and education. Where extra support is needed, the GIRFEC approach aims to make that support easy to access and seamless, with the child at the centre.

It is for all children and young people because it is impossible to predict if or when they might need extra support.

What does GIRFEC mean for people working in children's and adult services?

GIRFEC means:

the child or young person is at the centre of your work, understanding what their unique needs are and how you can help.

You use common tools, language and processes to consider a child or young person’s wellbeing, working closely with them, their parent(s) and other professionals, supporting them where appropriate.

You feel confident that you have the right information to provide the best support you can to a child or young person and their parent(s).

Practitioners Information Pack to support communication with the public

The Practitioners Information Pack is designed to support conversations with members of the public who may have questions or want to know more about how the new legislation will affect them and their families.